Towel roll product with perforated wrap

ABSTRACT

A towel roll product having an absorbent towel roll engaged on its outer surfaces by a flexible, protective wrapping. The upper portion of the wrapping at the towel roll top surface has a tear-away perforated portion that provides a tamperproof closure for the product presale, while allowing the product to be in a substantially ready-to-use state following its purchase. In addition, the perforated portion dictates the size of the opening to be created in the wrapping so as to limit potential of compromising the intended functioning of the towel roll product.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to towel roll products, and moreparticularly, to towel roll products with wrapping provided thereaboutin retaining the towel rolls during their use.

BACKGROUND

Disposable absorbent towels have many uses. Disposable towels areparticularly popular with do-it-yourself homeowners and trades peoplewho find towels valuable for cleaning tools, work areas and their hands.Disposable towels are also used frequently in factories, on farms and inthe boating industry (both commercial and recreational). These are justa few of the wide variety of people and multitude of uses of disposabletowels. Frequently, disposable towels are used by people who are on thego, whether it be trades people moving from job to job, maintenancepeople moving from machine to machine within a factory, or farmersdealing with issues wherever they come up. Thus, disposable towels arewidely considered as valuable items of one's normal equipment forperforming jobs.

For convenience, absorbent towels commonly are provided as successivesheets on a continuous web wound in roll form with individual sheetsseparable from the roll by means of perforation lines established atpre-determined distances. The towels are commonly drawn from theinterior of the roll, and the perforations allow a user to tear off aportion of the absorbent towel roll. In some cases, the towel rolls areconfigured for being housed in dispensers, such as cardboard boxes, thatallow the user to access the towels, usually through a small openingprovided in the top of the box. In use, these dispensers enableindividual towels to be pulled there from as needed, while providing aform of protective structure for the roll of towels. To that end, it isnot uncommon for such dispensers to be hardily used, whether carried inthe back of trucks to job sites along with other tools, or onmaintenance carts in factories.

One problem in using separate dispensers for rolls of disposable towelsis the cost they add to the end-result product. In particular, not onlydoes the customer need to purchase the container, but these dispensersoften are formed of a rigid material (such as plastic) in order tofurther protect the dispenser as well as the towel roll, thereby addingto their cost. Additionally, the towel roll manufacturer needs toappropriately package refills of the towel rolls so they can besufficiently protected prior to their use within the dispensers, thecost of which is further filtered down to the customer.

In light of the above, efforts continue to be advanced to producelower-cost alternatives to the above-described dispensers. One design inparticular has involved using wrapping to support and protect outersurfaces of the towel roll, and further including a member wrappedadjacent to an end of the roll so as to enable individual towels to becenterpulled there through and to provide stability to the towel rollover its use. These designs have been well received commercially, yethave some drawbacks.

For instance, in certain variations of this design, an opening has beenmade in the wrapping of the towel roll product so as to permitindividual towels to be pulled there through. This allows the product tobe in a ready-to-use state following purchase. Such design has generallydictated using a cover to overlay the opening in the wrapping toenvironmentally protect the towel roll product prior to its sale.Unfortunately, such cover is generally removable and replaceable asneeded, which allows such cover to be tampered with presale. To thatend, if the cover is tampered with, the towel roll product can in turnbe damaged from entry of dust and/or bugs therein while kept on retailshelving. Alternatively, the product can be manufactured so that thewrapping is continuously applied around the towel roll. As such,following purchase of the product, the consumer is called upon to createthe opening in the wrapping to enable individual towels to be pulledthere through. However, in dictating that the customers carry out thisprocess, the opening created can be unintentionally oversized. As aresult, there is the potential to compromise not only the intendedsupport and/or protective functions of the wrapping, but also theintended support and/or disbursement functions of the member.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

As described herein, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “top”, “bottom”,“upright” and other descriptors of direction and position have been usedfor convenience in describing a towel roll product in which the axis ofthe roll is upright or vertical and individual towel sheets are drawnupwardly from the center of the roll, with such action being referencedas a “centerpull”.

Embodiments of the invention involve a generally cylindrical towel rollproduct. The product comprises an absorbent towel roll having an uprightaxis, a circumferential outer surface and top and bottom surfaces. Theproduct also comprises a flexible, water resistant, protective wrapperengaging each of the surfaces of the towel roll and having sufficientstrength to restrain significant diametric expansion of the towel rolland to increase axial stiffness of the product, top and bottom portionsof the wrapper encasing the top and bottom surfaces of the roll,respectively. The wrapper top portion has a tear-away perforated portioncomprising a first layer of a double layer of initial protection for thetowel roll at the top surface prior to access to the towel roll beingenabled.

Additionally, embodiments of the invention involve a generallycylindrical towel roll product. The product comprises an absorbent towelroll having an upright axis, a circumferential outer surface and top andbottom surfaces. The product also comprises a flexible, water resistant,protective wrapper engaging each of the surfaces of the towel roll andhaving sufficient strength to restrain significant diametric expansionof the towel roll and to increase axial stiffness of the product, topand bottom portions of the wrapper encasing the top and bottom surfacesof the roll, respectively. The wrapper top portion has a perforatedportion configured to be torn away from the wrapper without havingadverse effect to the sufficient strength of the wrapper.

Further, embodiments of the invention involve a generally cylindricaltowel roll product. The product comprises an absorbent towel roll havingan upright axis, a circumferential outer surface and top and bottomsurfaces. The product also comprises a flexible, water resistant,protective wrapper engaging each of the surfaces of the towel roll andhaving sufficient strength to restrain significant diametric expansionof the towel roll and to increase axial stiffness of the product, topand bottom portions of the wrapper encasing the top and bottom surfacesof the roll, respectively. The wrapper top portion has a tear-awayperforated portion that when torn away provides an opening sized topermit toweling to pass there through.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view, partially broken away, of a towelroll product in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a partially exploded side view of a portion of the towel rollproduct of FIG. 1, with a larger portion broken away;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the towel roll product of FIG. 1, showingopening created through which individual towels of a towel roll of theproduct may be drawn; and

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the towel roll product of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description should be read with reference to thedrawings, in which like elements in different drawings are numberedidentically. The drawings depict selected embodiments and are notintended to limit the scope of the invention. It will be understood thatembodiments shown in the drawings and described below are merely forillustrative purposes, and are not intended to limit the scope of theinvention as defined in the claims.

As summarized above, the towel roll product as embodied herein is formedof an absorbent towel roll having flexible, protective wrapping engagingeach of the towel roll's outer surfaces, including a top surface of thetowel roll that is engaged by an upper portion of the wrapping. Theupper portion of the wrapping at the towel roll top surface, as detailedbelow, has a tear-away perforated portion that not only provides atamperproof closure for the product presale, but also allows the towelroll product to be in a substantially ready-to-use state following itspurchase. In addition, the perforated portion dictates the size of theopening to be created in the wrapping so as to avoid compromising theintended functioning of the wrapping with respect to the towel rollproduct. In some cases, as further described herein, prior to access tothe towel roll being enabled, the towel roll product provides a doublelayer of protection. Providing such double layer of protection allowsthe towel roll product to remain shielded so long as one of the layersremains intact.

FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective view of a towel roll product inaccordance with certain embodiments of the invention, while FIGS. 2, 3,and 4 show partial exploded, top, and bottom views, respectively, of theproduct. Referring first to FIG. 1, a generally cylindrical towel rollproduct 10 is shown. A roll of absorbent toweling 12 is formed about anaxis A, and is encased in an outer wrapper 14. With reference to FIG. 2,a disk 16 of rigid material is shown above the upper surface 12.1 of thetowel roll 12. The disk 16 is brought in tight contact against suchupper surface 12.1 of the towel roll 12 when the wrapper 14 is appliedto the roll 12 and disk 16 during manufacture of the product 10, asshown in FIGS. 1 and 3 and further described below.

Attention is made to U.S. Pat. No. 7,533,846, the teachings of which areincorporated herein by reference. In the '846 patent, certainembodiments are provided with respect to a towel roll product, whereinthat product has certain similarities with the product 10 embodiedherein. To that end, the embodiments of the toweling of the towel roll12 and the processes of their construction as described in the '846patent are likewise applicable to the toweling and towel roll 12referenced herein. Additionally, the wrapping or wrapper 14 and the disk16 referenced herein can be formed, and configured together with thetowel roll 12 (in constructing the towel roll product 10), in similarfashion as embodied in the '846 patent. However, as will be appreciatedfrom the description that follows, the designs of these wrapper 14 anddisk 16 elements are advanced so as to enhance conventional wrappedtowel roll products commercialized to date.

As shown, the wrapper 14 has portions 14.1, 14.2, and 14.3,respectively, for engaging corresponding surfaces 12.1, 12.2, and 12.3of the towel roll 12, so as to tightly encase the roll 12. To that end,the portions 14.1, 14.2 of the wrapper 14 are illustrated to overlay thetowel roll top and bottom surfaces 12.1, 12.2, respectively, whilewrapper side portion 14.3 overlays the towel roll side surface 12.3about its entire circumference. As alluded to above, the disk 16 ispositioned on the top surface 12.1 of the towel roll 12 before beingencased by the wrapper 14. In certain embodiments, the wrapper portions14.1, 14.2 involve end portions of the wrapper 14; however, it should beappreciated that one or more of these portions 14.1 and 14.2 could justas well involve mid-portions of the wrapper 14 with corresponding endsthereof overlaying the towel roll side surface 12.3. In certainembodiments, the wrapper 14 is formed of a material that can be heatshrunk or stretched, which can also be desirably heat-sealed. To thatend, heat-sealed seams 14.4 are exemplarily shown as extendingsubstantially about the body of the illustrated towel roll 12.

As described in the '846 patent, the wrapper 14 can engage thecircumferential surface 12.3 of the towel roll 12 snuggly enough torestrain the roll 12 from significantly expanding in diameter whensubjected to an axial load. However, it is preferred that the wrapper 14tightly engage the circumferential surface 12.3 of the towel roll 12,that is, that it actually squeeze the circumferential surface of theroll 12. As such, the wrapper 14 about the circumference of the roll 12strongly restrains the roll 12 from significantly expanding in diameterwhen it is subjected to axial compressive loading, e.g., of twice theweight of the towel roll product 10, such as is often the case when avertical stack is made of the towel roll products. In this manner, thewrapper 14, e.g., via its circumferential portion 14.3, tends to supportand stabilize the roll 12.

Conversely, the disk 16 is meant to have sufficient rigidity so as tospread downwardly against the upper surface 12.1 of the towel roll 12,and withstand bending or tearing during use or storage of the product10. In particular, the disk 16 is configured so as to maintain its shapeunder radial, inwardly-directed forces tending to collapse thecylindrical shape of the product 10 when much of its toweling has beenremoved. As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the disk 16 substantially covers the topsurface 12.1 of the towel roll 12 before its use. While the disk 16 isshown as notably smaller in diameter DD than the corresponding diameterRD of the top surface 12.1 of the towel roll 12, this is done for clearview of the reader as to the differing elements. However, inapplication, the disk diameter DD is sized so as to be substantiallysimilar to the roll diameter RD. To that end, in certain embodiments,the disk 16 is substantially coextensive with the top surface 12.1 ofthe roll 12. Consequently, the wrapper 14 provides a pressure on theedge of the disk 16 that is similar to the pressure felt by the sidesurface 12.3 of the towel roll 12. As a result, while less axialstiffness is provided as toweling is removed from the roll 12, the disk16 is held in place by the axial pressure of the wrapping 14 such thatthe axial strength and cylindrical shape of the towel roll product 12 issufficiently preserved, and continue to have this effect even when theroll 12 is left with but a few coils of toweling.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, once the towel roll product 10 isconstructed, its top surface 10.1, sequentially moving from outersurface to inner surface, includes the wrapper portion (e.g., top) 14.1,the disk 16, and the top surface 12.1 of the towel roll 12. As shown,the wrapper portion 14.1 has a perforated portion 14.5 centrally definedtherein. The wrapper perforated portion 14.5, as illustrated, ispositioned so as to provide axial access to the towel roll product 10.The perforations 14.6 of the portion 14.5, while providing gaseouscommunication between the roll 12 and the outside environment,sufficiently limit exposure of the towel roll 12 to environmentalcontaminants. At the same time, in certain embodiments, the perforations14.6 allow the portion 14.5 to be freely torn away from the wrapper 14when necessary. Further, the wrapper portion 14.1 is sized such that itcan be removed from the wrapper 14 without having adverse effect to thesufficient strength of the wrapper 14 in its intended use in the towelroll product 10.

Looking to the disk 16, as shown, a central portion 16.1 can also bedefined therein and positioned so as to align with the perforatedportion 14.5 of the wrapper 14. In certain, embodiments, the portion16.1 is defined to be removable from the disk 16. The removable portion16.1, in certain embodiments as shown, is attached to the disk 16 viaperforations 16.2. Similar to the perforations 14.6 of the wrapperportion 14.1, the perforations 16.2 of the disk portion 16.1sufficiently limit exposure of the towel roll 12 to environmentalcontaminants, while allowing the portion 16.1 to be freely torn awayfrom the disc 16 when necessary.

As described above, both portions 14.5 and 16.1 (of the wrapper 14 andthe disk 16, respectively) are centrally positioned in their respectivesurfaces on the top surface 12.1 of the towel roll 12. Consequently, theportions 14.5, 16.1 are positioned so as to be axially aligned with theproduct axis A, along which individual towels are centerpulled from thetowel roll 12. Accordingly, following purchase of the towel roll product10, the customer can store the product until needed, at which time theportions 14.5 and 16.1 can be sequentially removed to permit access to,and withdraw, toweling of the towel roll 12. With further reference toFIGS. 1 and 3, in certain embodiments, the disc portion 16.1 defines oneor more confronting lobes 16.3, which (when the portion 16.1 is removedfrom the disk 16) provides corresponding channels for the individualtowels to catch and break apart from each other during a centerpull. Incertain embodiments, the size of the overall opening defined by thewrapper portion 14.5 is larger in size than the overall aperture definedby the disk portion 16.1. As such, the toweling is free to contact withone of the lobes 16.3 of the disk aperture without any imposing contactwith the wrapper opening. In certain embodiments, the disk 16 can alsobe configured with openings 16.4 extending along a portion of the disk'sradial extent to enable a user to see how much toweling remains on thetowel roll 12.

Given the above, the design of the towel roll product 10 is enhancedover other conventional designs. By providing the perforated portion14.5 on its wrapping 14 so as to align with the centerpull axis A of thetowel roll 12, the product 10 is provided with a tamperproof closure.Consequently, assurance can be made that the product 10 has not beenenvironmental contaminated prior to its sale, while at the same time,being in a substantially ready-to-use state following its purchase (viaremoval of both the wrapper portion 14.5). Further, the perforatedportion 14.5 dictates the size of the opening to be created in thewrapping 14 so as avoid compromising the intended functioning of thewrapping with respect to the towel roll product 10.

When the above design (with wrapper perforated portion 14.5) is combinedwith a similar removable portion with the disk 16 there under, a doublelayer of presale protection can be provided for the towel roll product10. Consequently, so long as one or these portions (or protectivelayers) 14.5 or 16.1 remains intact, the consumer can be rest assuredthat the product 10 has not been environmentally contaminated (viaexposure starting at its top surface 10.1) prior to its sale.

It will be appreciated the embodiments of the present invention can takemany forms. The true essence and spirit of these embodiments of theinvention are defined in the appended claims, and it is not intended theembodiment of the invention presented herein should limit the scopethereof

What is claimed is:
 1. A generally cylindrical towel roll productcomprising an absorbent towel roll having an upright axis, acircumferential outer surface and top and bottom surfaces, and aflexible, water resistant, protective wrapper engaging each of thesurfaces of the towel roll and having sufficient strength to restrainsignificant diametric expansion of the towel roll and to increase axialstiffness of the product, top and bottom portions of the wrapperencasing the top and bottom surfaces of the roll, respectively, thewrapper top portion having a tear-away perforated portion, theperforated portion comprising a first layer of a double layer of initialprotection for the towel roll at the top surface prior to access to thetowel roll being enabled.
 2. The towel roll product of claim 1 whereinthe perforated portion when torn away provides an opening sized topermit single toweling sheets of the towel roll to be centerpulled therethrough.
 3. The towel roll product of claim 2 wherein the perforatedportion when torn away provides axial access to the product.
 4. Thetowel roll product of claim 2 further comprising a rigid disk positionedbetween the upper surface of the towel roll and the wrapper top portion,the disk having a portion aligned with the perforated portion in thewrapper top portion, the disk portion comprising a second layer of thedouble layer.
 5. The towel roll product of claim 4 wherein the disk issubstantially coextensive with the top surface of the towel roll.
 6. Thetowel roll product of claim 5 wherein the disk has a diameter that issubstantially similar to a diameter of outer periphery of the towelroll, wherein shape of the towel roll product is preserved over a uselife of the towel roll.
 7. The towel roll product of claim 5 wherein thedisk portion is removable, and when removed following removal of theperforated portion, forms an aperture enabling axial access to the towelroll.
 8. The towel roll product of claim 7 wherein the disk portioncomprises a tear-away perforated portion.
 9. The towel roll product ofclaim 7 wherein the disk includes confronting lobes positioned toencounter toweling of the towel roll as the toweling is withdrawnaxially from the towel roll.
 10. The towel roll product of claim 7wherein the size of the opening is larger than the aperture.
 11. Thetowel roll product of claim 1 wherein the perforated portion isconfigured to be torn away from the wrapper without having adverseeffect to the sufficient strength of the wrapper.
 12. A generallycylindrical towel roll product comprising an absorbent towel roll havingan upright axis, a circumferential outer surface and top and bottomsurfaces, and a flexible, water resistant, protective wrapper engagingeach of the surfaces of the towel roll and having sufficient strength torestrain significant diametric expansion of the towel roll and toincrease axial stiffness of the product, top and bottom portions of thewrapper encasing the top and bottom surfaces of the roll, respectively,the wrapper top portion having a perforated portion, the perforatedportion configured to be torn away from the wrapper without havingadverse effect to the sufficient strength of the wrapper.
 13. The towelroll product of claim 12 wherein the perforated portion when torn awayprovides an opening sized to permit single toweling sheets of the towelroll to be centerpulled there through.
 14. The towel roll product ofclaim 13 wherein the perforated portion when torn away provides axialaccess to the product.
 15. The towel roll product of claim 13 furthercomprising a rigid disk positioned between the upper surface of thetowel roll and the wrapper top portion, the disk having a portionaligned with the perforated portion in the wrapper top portion.
 16. Thetowel roll product of claim 15 wherein the perforated portion and thedisk portion comprise a first layer and a second layer of a double layerof initial protection for the towel roll at the top surface prior toaccess to the towel roll being enabled.
 17. The towel roll product ofclaim 15 wherein the disk is substantially coextensive with the topsurface of the towel roll.
 18. The towel roll product of claim 15wherein the disk portion is removable, and when removed followingremoval of the perforated portion, forms an aperture enabling axialaccess to the towel roll.
 19. The towel roll product of claim 18 whereinthe disk portion comprises a tear-away perforated portion.
 20. Agenerally cylindrical towel roll product comprising an absorbent towelroll having an upright axis, a circumferential outer surface and top andbottom surfaces, and a flexible, water resistant, protective wrapperengaging each of the surfaces of the towel roll and having sufficientstrength to restrain significant diametric expansion of the towel rolland to increase axial stiffness of the product, top and bottom portionsof the wrapper encasing the top and bottom surfaces of the roll,respectively, the wrapper top portion having a tear-away perforatedportion that when torn away provides an opening sized to permit towelingto be centerpulled there through.
 21. The towel roll product of claim 20wherein the perforated portion when torn away provides axial access tothe product.
 22. The towel roll product of claim 21 further comprising arigid disk positioned between the upper surface of the towel roll andthe wrapper top portion, the disk having a portion aligned with theperforated portion in the wrapper top portion.
 23. The towel rollproduct of claim 22 wherein the perforated portion and the disk portioncomprise a first layer and a second layer of a double layer of initialprotection for the towel roll at the top surface prior to access to thetowel roll being enabled.
 24. The towel roll product of claim 22 whereinthe disk is substantially coextensive with the top surface of the towelroll.
 25. The towel roll product of claim 22 wherein the disk portion isremovable, and when removed following removal of the perforated portion,forms an aperture enabling axial access to the towel roll.
 26. The towelroll product of claim 25 wherein the disk portion comprises a tear-awayperforated portion.